Ground effect machine with controls therefor



April 7, 1964 w. T. HARTER 3,127,949

GROUND EFFECT MACHINE WITH CONTROLS THEREFOR Filed May 11, 1961 Fig. 1.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a 5 w VVHN'7?-0R. Fig. 3. ,BY ALTER ARTER Kmwwm smdww Mfomeys April 7, 1964 w. T. HARTER 3,127,949

GROUND EFFECT MACHINE WITH CONTROLS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1961 v 28'' v '1 I V 5 E 4 N I V i a a,

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INVENTOR. I WALTERT. HARTER United States Patent 3,127,949 GRQUND EFFECT MAQHKNE WlTH CONTRGLS THEREFOR Walter T. Harter, New Palestine, 1nd. Filed May 11, 1961, Ser. No. 109,403 Claims. (Cl. 180-7) The present invention relates to an aircraft or to a vehicle capable of movement through the air.

Various devices sometimes known as air cars have been devised for movement through the air a short distance rrom the ground. These devices possess the advantage that they may be stopped above the ground or moved slowly in any direction and this movement can be accomplished by relatively low or small horsepower for a relatively great weight. These so-called air cars usually operate by means of ground effect or in other words, the creation of a supporting pressure below the air car which greater than the surrounding or ambient pressure. Of course, such air cars are restricted to movement adjacent to the ground (water, ice or other surface) in that ground effect is lost if the air car moves away from the ground to any great extent.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an air car which is simpler in construction than presently available air cars and consequently involves much less expense in construction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an air car capable of a relatively safe landing without power.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air car operating according to a new and improved principle of operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an air car which is less dangerous than conventional air cars.

Related objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises an aircraft including a body formed of a sheet of material and having a downwardly opening cross section, said cross section extending along a major portion of the length of the body, said body having a flaring opening at the forward end thereof, means for moving air into the forward end of the body for exit out the bottom thereof, the bottom edge of said body forming a plane which is completely open for the passage of air, said bottom edge extending continuously around said body except at the forward end thereof, the rear portion of said body being completely closed above said plane.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an air car constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the air car of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the air car of FIGS. 13.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referrin more particularly to the drawings, there is "ice illustrated an air car which includes a body 10 preferably formed of sheet aluminum or similar material. This body has for a major portion of its length and centrally thereof a V-shaped cross section as illustrated in FIG. 3 with the two sides 11 making up the legs of the V. The bottom edge 12 of the air car defines a plane and extends completely around the sides and rear of the air car but does not extend around the forward end thereof.

At the forward end of the air car, there is formed a flaring opening 15, this flaring opening being defined by the flaring portion 16 of the sheet material making up the body. The rearward portion 17 of the body is closed, that is, it is closed above the plane defined by the bottom edge 12. This rearward portion 17 has an indentation 20 therein and has a V-shaped cross section as suggested in FIG. 4. The preferred angle formed by the legs 11 of the V-shaped cross section of FIG. 3 is equal to the angle formed by the legs 21 of the V-shaped cross section of the rear portion 17 and this angle is equal to preferably 126 although this is by no means the only operable angular relation of these parts.

The body 10 is provided with reinforcing elements or braces 22 which are arranged in a suitable fashion to maintain the illustrated configuration of the body. These braces may consist of strips of lumber or alternatively, of suitable piping or tubing. The braces 22 also function to provide a support for a seat 25 for use by the pilot or driver of the device. If desired, the craft can be constructed sufliciently large to support a cabin wherein a plurality of seats would be provided for passengers as well as a pilot.

Rotatably mounted at the forward end of the air car is a fan 26 which, as illustrated, preferably has a small number of blades such as the illustrated four blades 27 although conceivably a greater number of blades might be provided. The fan 26 is fixed to a shaft 30 which is rotatably received within bearing blocks 31 fixedly mounted upon the body It) and upon braces 32 which are in turn secured to the body 10. Mounted upon the upper surface of the body and particularly upon the braces 22 is a conventional chain saw motor 35 which is connected by means of chain 36 to a sprocket 37 fixed to the shaft 30. In operation, the fan 26 is rotated to draw air into the forward flaring opening 15 and to move the air beneath the air car body 10, the air then moving downwardly and outwardly past the bottom edge 12 of the body all around the sides and rear thereof. It should be noted that a portion of the periphery of the air car, which periphery includes the bottom edge 12 and the edge 36 of the flaring portion 16, is used for the intake of air. This feature greatly simplifies the device and eliminates any additional structure such as sole plates and the like previously considered to be necessary to an air car.

The pilot or driver of the present device is provided with a plurality of controls for the operation thereof, a pair of said controls 40 and 41 being illustrated as an example. These controls may be operated to cause the air car to move forwardly or rearwardly, to turn, or to stop above the ground. The control 40 has a generally upside down L-shape as viewed in FIG. 2 and is provided with a generally horizontal element or cross piece 42 fixed to its lower end. The control 40 is pivoted about a horizontal axis 45. The control 40 is rotatably received within abearing 43 provided with oppositely extending ears 46 which are rotatably mounted in a support 47 fixedly mounted upon the center brace 22'. In other words, the control 40 can be pivoted about the horizontal axis 45 and also about the axis of the lower generally vertical portion of the L-shaped portion of the control 40.

Fixed to the ends of the cross piece 42 is a pair of control cords 50 which are also received about pulleys 51 and 52 mounted respectively upon the braces 32 and the rearward portion 17 of the air car. A plurality of deflectors 55 and 56 are pivoted about axes 57 and 66 perpendicular to the legs 11 of the central V-shaped portion of the body, these deflectors forming planes which are generally vertical. When the control is pulled rear- Wardly by the pilot, the cross piece 42 moves forwardly and pivots the inward portions of the deflectors rearwardly and the outward portions thereof forwardly. Thus, if the fan 26 is moving air into or beneath the air car, this air will tend to move outwardly and forwardly and thus to give the air car a rearward movement.

If the pilot pivots the control 40 about the axis of the lower portion of the L-shaped portion of the control, a turning action of the air car will result. For example, if the control is pivoted away from the viewer of FIG. 2, the cross piece 42 in FIG. 4 will move in a counterclockwise direction and thus, will pivot the deflectors about the axes 57 in a counterclockwise direction and will also pivot the deflectors 56 about their axes 60 in a counterclockwise direction. It will be appreciated that such a movement of the deflectors will cause the air leaving the rightward side of the device as viewed in FIG. 3 to move rearwardly and the air leaving the leftward side of the device to move forwardly. This movement of air will cause the air car as viewed in FIG. 4 to move in a clockwise direction and thus will turn the air car.

In turning the air car, it may be necessary to provide an additional amount of air to the portion of the device which is outside in the turn. The deflector 61 which is pivoted about axis 62 and extends vertically or in a vertical plane is provided with a suitable control (not shown) located at the drivers seat in order to permit deflection of air to the outside of the turn.

The present air car is also provided with a brake in the form of a deflector 65 which is secured to the shaft 66 pivotally mounted upon the fan mounting braces 32. This brake is controlled by a cord 66 secured to the lower end of the control 41, the control 41 being pivotal about a transverse horizontal axis. The cord or line 66 also extends about a pulley 67 mounted upon the body and a pulley 68 mounted upon one of the braces 32. The line 66 is also secured to a lever 70 (FIG. 2) fixed with relation to the deflector 65. It can be appreciated that rearward pivoting by the pilot of the control 41 will produce a downward pivoting of the deflector 65 which will tend to cut down on the rearward flow produced by the fan and will tend to stop movement of the air oar thus acting as a brake.

-It should be understood that, as an alternative embodiment to the illustrated embodiment, the body could taper all the way from the forward edge of the air car to the rearweard portion 17 thereof. In other words, the flaming portion 16 and the horizontally extending central portion of the air car might be replaced by a uniformly tapering shape.

From the above description, it will be obvious that the present invention provides an air car which is extremely simple and uncomplicated in construction and as a result, is also very inexpensive to construct. It will also be obvious that the present air car operates according to a new and improved principle, that principle being to draw the air beneath the body of the air car at a portion of the perimeter of the body, which perimeter otherwise functions to deflect the air downwardly.

Various theomies can be set forth to explain the proved operation provided by such a structure. For example, by reducing the amount of periphery past which air is lost from beneath the air car, a greater pressure beneath the air car can be created. In other words, the air car remains aloft by reason of the fact that a cushion of air pressure is formed therebeneath. By reducing the area through which this air cushion can escape, it becomes easier to provide and maintain the cushion. Vari- 4 ous other theories explaining improved operation can be presented but will not be herein.

It should be mentioned, however, that the present device does operate in a much better fashion because of its indented rear portion which has been found to provide greater lift. Furthermore, the sloping or flaring portion 16 at the forward end of the craft deflects the air from the fan downwardly and provides lift at the forward end. It has been found that it is desirable to place the weight of the rider or driver closer to the rear of the device and consequently, the chair 25 has been so illustrated in the drawings.

From the above description, it will also be appreciated that the present device is less dangerous than conventional air cars in that an explosion of the fan producing a radial throwing of blades will not strike the driver or pilot of the device. It will also be clear that a landing can be made without power if forward motion is maintained because of the funneling action of the flaring intake.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has bee-n shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. An aircraft comprising a body formed of a thin generally rectangular sheet of material and having a V- shaped vertical cross section with the apex thereof projecting upwardly, said V-shaped cross section extending along a major portion of the length of the body and forming an apex angle of 126 degrees, said body having a flaring opening at the forward end thereof, a fan mounted on the body at the forward end thereof for moving air into the body for exit out the bottom thereof, the bottom edge of said body forming a plane which is completely open for the passage of air, said bottom edge extending continuously around said body except at the forward end thereof, the rear portion of said body being completely closed above said plane and having a V-shape in horizontal cross section with the apex of said last mentioned V-shape projecting forwardly and having an angle of 126 degrees, means mounted on said body for driving said fan, a framework secured to and reenforcing said body, passenger seating means supported on said framework, a series of deflectors extending downwardly and mounted on the lower surface of said body along both legs of said V-s'l1ape for pivoting about axes perpendicular to the extent of said major portion or" said body, control means for said deflectors operable at said passenger seatlng means for selectively controlling the deflectors on each leg of said V-shape to deflect air forwardly and rearwardly of said body.

2. An aircraft comprising a body formed of a thin sheet of material and having a V-shaped vertical cross section with the apex thereof projecting upwardly, said V-shaped cross section extending along a major portion of the length of the body, a fan mounted on the body at the forward end thereof for moving air into the body for exit out the bottom thereof, the bottom edge of said body forming a plane which is completely open for the passage of air, said bottom edge extending continuously around said body except at the forward end thereof, the rear portion of said body being completely closed above said plane and having a V-shape in horizontal cross section with the apex of said last mentioned V-shape projecting forwardly, means mounted on said body for driving said fan, a framework secured to and reenforcing said body, passenger seating means supported on said framework, a series of deflectors extending downwardly and mounted on the lower surface of said body along both legs of said V-shape for pivoting about axes perpendicular to the extent of said major portion of said body, and

control means for said deflectors operable at said passenger seating means for selectively controlling the deflectors on each leg of said V-shape to deflect air forwardly and rearwardly of said body.

3. The aircraft of claim 2 additionally comprising a flat turning deflector mounted on said body and extending downwardly from the apex of said first mentioned V-shape, said turning deflector being pivotal about a vertical axis, and a flat transversely extending brake deflector mounted on said body and pivotal about a horizontal transversely extending axis, both of said turning and brake deflectors being within said body above said plane.

4. An aircraft comprising a body having a V-shaped vertical cross section with the apex thereof projecting upwardly, said cross section extending along a major portion of the length of the body, said body having a flaring opening at the forward end thereof, and means for moving air into the forward end of the body for exit out the bottom thereof, the bottom edge of said body forming a plane which is completely open for the passage of air, said bottom edge extending continuously around said body except at the forward end thereof, the rear portion of said body being completely closed above said plane, passenger seating means mounted on said body, a series of deflectors extending downwardly and mounted on the lower surface of said body along both legs of said V-shape for pivoting about axes perpendicular to the extent of said major portion of said body, control means for said deflectors operable at said passenger seating means for selectively controlling the deflectors on each leg of said V-shape to deflect air forwardly and rearwardly of said body.

5. An aircraft comprising a body formed of a thin sheet of material and having a V-shaped vertical cross section with the apex thereof projecting upwardy, said V-shaped cross section extending along a major portion of the length of the body and being open at the forward end, the bottom edge of said body forming a plane which is completely open for the passage of air, means for moving gas into the forward end of the body for exit out the bottom thereof said bottom edge extending continuously around said body except at the forward end thereof, the rear portion of said body being completely closed above said plane and having a V-shape in horizontal cross section with the apex of said last mentioned V-shape projecting forwardly, a framework secured to and reenforcing said body, passenger seating means supported on said framework, a series of deflectors extending downwardly and mounted on the lower surface of said body along both legs of said V-shape for pivoting about axes perpendicular to the extent of said major portion of said body, and control means connected to said deflectors operable at said passenger seating means for selectively controlling the deflectors on each leg of said V-shape to deflect air forwardly and rearwardly in said body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,364,676 Warner Dec. 12, 1944 2,387,627 Warner Oct. 23, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,630 Finland Jan. 2, 1935 26,122 Finland Nov. 11, 1953 219,133 Australia Nov. 24, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Ground Effect Machine Research and Development, David Taylor Model Basin Report 1463, Aero Report 994, December 1960, pages 14, 15, 16 relied 

5. AN AIRCRAFT COMPRISING A BODY FORMED OF A THIN SHEET OF MATERIAL AND HAVING A V-SHAPED VERTICAL CROSS SECTION WITH THE APEX THEREOF PROJECTING UPWARDY, SAID V-SHAPED CROSS SECTION EXTENDING ALONG A MAJOR PORTION OF THE LENGTH OF THE BODY AND BEING OPEN AT THE FORWARD END, THE BOTTOM EDGE OF SAID BODY FORMING A PLANE WHICH IS COMPLETELY OPEN FOR THE PASSAGE OF AIR, MEANS FOR MOVING GAS INTO THE FORWARD END OF THE BODY FOR EXIT OUT THE BOTTOM THEREOF SAID BOTTOM EDGE EXTENDING CONTINUOUSLY AROUND SAID BODY EXCEPT AT THE FORWARD END THEREOF, THE REAR PORTION OF SAID BODY BEING COMPLETELY CLOSED ABOVE SAID PLANE AND HAVING A V-SHAPE IN HORIZONTAL CROSS SECTION WITH THE APEX OF SAID LAST MENTIONED V-SHAPE PROJECTING FORWARDLY, A FRAMEWORK SECURED TO AND REENFORCING SAID BODY, PASSENGER SEATING MEANS SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK, A SERIES OF DEFLECTORS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND MOUNTED ON THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID BODY ALONG BOTH LEGS OF SAID V-SHAPE FOR PIVOTING ABOUT AXES PERPENDICULAR TO THE EXTENT OF SAID MAJOR PORTION OF SAID BODY, AND CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID DEFLECTORS OPERABLE AT SAID PASSENGER SEATING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING THE DEFLECTORS ON EACH LEG OF SAID V-SHAPE TO DEFLECT AIR FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY IN SAID BODY. 